forest-fire

Crater Lake Marathon, Oregon

Published August 8, 2015

Over my Quest, have been asked: what’s your favourite race? Previously kinda limped thru a response: “every state is different…”

Mesa Falls‘ (Ashton ID) high on my list (scenic Targhee National Forest start); also, rank Grandma’s (Duluth MN) near the top – my first sub-4, foggy cool drizzle along Lake Superior in mid-June, amazing crowd support.

Got a solid answer after today’s run – favourite 50 State Marathon: Crater Lake Marathon in Oregon.

Always strong in the mountains. Felt the morning cold blow, wind blasting over the Lake. Stood strong. Watched the sunrise peek over majestic Crater Lake. Nothing like it, truly spectacular.

Low key 730am start – ok, go. Eased into the first 3 miles, relatively flat, few ups & downs. Was not fooled – knew hills were a comin’. Researched this run in advance (altitude range 5,980 to 7,850 feet); would be my most challenging marathon to date.

Steady 5-mile climb near mile 8 – no relief…slight, medium or steep – but all grades UP as we climbed the top of the Rim.

Found hills to be an age equalizer. On each climb, I’d pass young guns walking the upticks. Every downgrade, they’d fly past my heavy legs. Mile 19, mile 21 – UP again. Tagged two runners (Michigan & Jersey) miles 22 & 23, and soaked in my surroundings – HUGE ponderosa pine & sunshine. Heat kicked in, eyes salt-burned but flying on adrenaline this day.

Have never experienced such a beautiful run – literally ran Start to Finish in a National Park. Whatta journey! Still appreciate my other state experiences – but telling ya, Crater Lake is unmatched, really something special.

Slowed on the cruel 2-mile finish UP but did not stop, did not walk – I stayed strong.

Breathing laboured & heavy, volunteers at mile 26 promised the last 2-tenths were flat…and straight ahead. Crossed with a smile on my face. Planted on a nearby tree stump — no fancy Finish digs, my 36^th state finish.

Most challenging, most rewarding run ever. FANNN-FRICKIN-TASTIC day!

2015 Marathon

1 Sergio Morales, 2:53:38; 2 Gary Krugger, 2:53:38; 3 Kyle Hall, 3:07:38; 4 Stephanie Cooke, 3:32:52; 5 Richters Warnick, 3:37:46; 6 Scott Schwasnick, 3:39:59; 7 Mark Albanese, 3:40:44; 8 Jonathan Seiber, 3:43:53; 9 Thomas Hallberg, 3:49:59; 10 Angela Wells, 3:51:44; 11 Micah Harpel, 3:53:38; 12 Jeffrey Schulte, 3:57:34; 13 Stephen Guynn, 3:58:45; 14 Timothy Hamn, 4:00:31; 15 Josh Wood, 4:01:10; 16 Alyssa Bowers, 4:01:24; 17 Beth Henderson, 4:04:58; 18 Geoffrey Rabie, 4:06:01; 19 Paul Andrews 4:07:00; 20 Jessica Armstrong, 4:07:15; 21 Ryan Stansfield, 4:07:49; 22 Jennifer Arrowsmith, 4:07:49; 23 Aaron John, 4:10:43; 24 Darryn Zawitz, 4:17:25; 25 Tobin Turner, 4:17:40; 26 Joe Binevento, 4:19:58; 27 Jonathan Richards, 4:19:40; 28 James Salge, 4:20:17; 29 Adam John, 4:23:07; 30 Louis Pahnke, 4:25:02; 31 K R Haga, 4:25:39; 32 Irwin Hosea, 4:25:49; 33 Gerald King, 4:32:17; 34 Jeni Hous, 4:34:37;

Hiked Mount Hood, trail ran Warm Springs, marathoned Crater Lake Nat’l Park – leaving a HUGE fan of Oregon.

: Finished 31st overall – WOW! Bring on the hills, STRONG today. Everything’s clicking – mountains & marathoning…perfect combo!

: “Like No Place Else On Earth”

: multiple forest fires ablaze, 30 miles away

: towering Ponderosa pines (mile 22, 23 & 24) – INSPIRED!

: The Pinnacles (mile 25)

: warm finish: eyes burned, salt collected ’round my glasses

Posted in Marathons/Ultras, Pacific/Desert | Tagged forest-fire, nat'l-park | Leave a comment

Yosemite ‘Rim Fire’

Published August 22, 2013

When my Colorado hiking buddy Annmarie asked about interest in a road trip to Yosemite (6 months ago), I said heck yeah. Why not? There’s tons of hikes & I’ve never been.

Road trip? Whew – it’s a long way to California but then again, why not? The trip was scheduled over my birthday, perfect way to celebrate – in the great outdoors!

Started our western trek from Denver – John taking the first shift behind the wheel to Grand Junction, near the Utah border. Gotta say I missed the next 3-4 hours as I caught zzz’s in anticipation of my shift 2-5am near Cedar City, Utah. That’s when we left civilization. No cell reception, no food, no gas. Car kill count: 2 birds & 4 rabbits. Entering Nevada, we drove hour after hour through desert on the Extraterrestrial Highway hugging Area 51. The truth really is out there 🙂

Daybreak…more cactus, lack of fuel – nestled among large scenic canyons. Located a small station just over the California border & shelled out almost $5/gallon. Next focus – food. Diner breakfast at Nicely’s, check done.

30 minutes more, Yosemite. Stopped for a few pics & reentered the lottery for Half Dome – an amazing cable climb high on my Yosemite wish list. Failed to secure a hiking permit for a Thursday climb; but no worries, there’s always Friday.

Lottery Results – CABLES ON HALF DOME – Daily Lottery 2013

We are sorry to inform you that you were not successful in securing a permit to hike to the summit of Half Dome from the Cables on Half Dome Lottery.

Another hour half to our campsite in Hetch Hetchy. Couldn’t check in for 2 hours – kinda weird since we were camping but no biggie, just road weary. Plan A – shower & sleep by a pool near the lodge (where some folks rent cabins).

10 minutes of shut eye, then was abruptly awakened by a fire marshal who commanded everyone to evacuate immediately. A HUGE forest fire – the Rim Fire – had grown quickly & was only mere miles away. CHAOS. No cell reception. No one could provide information. Just folks yelling to leave, leave NOW & instructions to go to a Red Cross Relief Center in Yosemite Valley (an hour plus away). Roads were closed west to San Francisco, east & south Yosemite our only choices.

Fire drama had permeated our group – bad mojo. Found a place to sleep, then sadly headed back to Colorado the following day.

The drive back via Fresno, Bakersfield, Death Valley & Las Vegas was far longer than our trek across the Nevada desert…but 20 hours later we returned to Colorado – John & I switching off every hour on the hour, staying alert in the early a.m.

In a world dominated by social media, we see only happy snapshots of our friends & family’s lives. It’s not realistic however that life rolls without any bumps along the way.

I felt a bit beaten at 5am Friday – but super relieved to be home. I pull strength from my Colorado surroundings — from the Flatirons (my mountains), from our 300 days of annual sunshine, from the snow. Colorado is my home.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. We cannot build faith/character without being tested. AND it’s how we carry ourselves in these less than perfect circumstances which shows growth.

Yosemite will happen another time.

Disappointed, of course – but I feel a Colorado hike in my near future & it’s there I feel close to God.

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